3 DAYS RWANDA GORILLAS AND DIAN FOSSEY HIKE.
Overview.
Join our 3 days Rwanda Gorillas and Dian Fossey Hike that leads to the verdant Volcanoes National Park, in north-western Rwanda for a chance of trekking the endangered mountain gorillas as well as hiking the Dian Fossey gravesite. Established in 1925, Volcanoes National Park is the country’s most popular and visited destination because of mountain gorillas that add up to over 400 gorillas as well as being a former home to Dian Fossey, an American Primatologist who established her base between foothills of Karisimbi and Bisoke Mountains to study the life of the Mountain gorillas.
There are currently more than 20 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, of which only about 10 were open for trekking. They are Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Susa A, Ugenda, Susa B (Karisimbi), Amahoro, Agashya (Group 13), Kwitonda and Bwenge. This short trip starts and ends in Kigali City.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and pick-up from Kigali International Airport and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Your safari driver/guide will welcome you into the country and the safari on arrival at Kigali International Airport. Prior to that, be briefed on the short tour you are about to take then embark on a tour of the City targeting historical sites such as the former Presidential Palace in Kigali, craft/or souvenir shops and the main City market.
A delicious lunch at one of the amazing restaurants/eatery in Kigali and start the 3 hours’ drive to the amazing Volcanoes National Park, home to the Mountain gorillas and burial place for Dian Fossey. Check-in at a Lodge at the outskirts of the Park with the help of the safari driver for dinner and overnight stays for the entire trip.
Depending on arrival time, you will either undertake a tour of the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera or relax at the Lodge.
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking experience and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
This day is the highlight of the tour and begins with waking up early for breakfast and preparation to be transferred to Kinigi Park Headquarters for registration and briefing. Make sure to have your gorilla permit, passport, backpack, sweater, rain jacket, hat, gardening gloves, snacks and drinking water when heading to the Park Headquarters.
Meet other visitors, porters and Park rangers at the briefing point and be provided with required information on expectations as well as guidelines of trekking the mountain gorillas. Be allocated a gorilla family depending on your personal interest, age and physical abilities and be driven to the Park boundary for the start of the trek.
The trek starts at 8am and lasts 2-6 hours including the one hour you will spend with mountain gorillas. It however involves among others hiking through thickets, bamboo forests, crossing rivers, valleys, rugged terrains and coming across buffaloes, bushbucks, duikers, other primate species, birds and butterflies before finally finding the mountain gorillas living their normal life of feeding, mating, playing and resting. Avoid using flash cameras when taking photos and get back to the trailhead where you will find your safari driver waiting to take you back to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the afternoon be transferred to the Gorilla Guardian Village (popularly known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about unique culture and traditions of the 3 ethnic groups of Rwanda. Be entertained in the famous Intore dance, attend banana beer brewing lessons, visit the traditional healer and many other exciting activities.
Day 3: Dian Fossey Hike and return to Kigali
Another beautiful day in your tour to hike to the gravesite of the woman that dedicated 18 amazing years of her life to study and conserve the mountain gorillas. Breakfast is the perfect way to start the day and head to the Park Headquarters to briefing and start the hike while attentively listening to tales of Dian Fossey’s legacy and if lucky listen to experiences of rangers who once worked with her.
You will encounter several residents of the Park such as elephants and sometimes mountain gorillas as well as golden monkeys and get to see Dian’s gravesite alongside that of her favorite gorilla-Digit. Descend and find your safari guide for a return transfer to Kigali for departure.
End of your 3 days Rwanda Gorillas and Dian Fossey Hike.

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